Gregory Lee Bakke

**Use this link to view the service: https://youtu.be/o7PvdXDSNT4

Gregory Lee Bakke, 71, passed away at his home on Monday, November 14, 2022, in Grand Forks, ND. 

Greg was born on July 10, 1951 the second son of Gene and Betty Anne Bakke in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He grew up as a small child in the Fargo/Moorhead area before moving to St. Cloud, Minnesota where he graduated from Cathedral High School. While in High School, he participated in track and field and wrestling. After graduation in 1969, Greg attended the University of North Dakota where he joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and began working on an undergraduate degree in psychology.

On October 4, 1969, he was lined up on a blind date with JoNell Hesketh and they went on a hayride hosted by his fraternity. After the date, he told his roommate that he met the girl he was going to marry. They dated for two years until becoming engaged in November 1971 and married on August 12, 1972.

After graduation in 1974, Greg accepted a scholarship at St. Louis University in Hospital and HealthCare Administration. Eventually, they returned to North Dakota where Greg was the Business Manager of the Harvey Medical Center from 1978 to 1980. He later accepted a position at the Breckenridge Hospital in Breckenridge, Minnesota where they remained until 1983. Greg returned to UND to complete a graduate degree in Guidance and Counseling which was his true calling. Upon graduation, he worked for the state of North Dakota for 25 years in the office of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Greg and JoNell were blessed with four children. Daughter Rebecca Anne - August 11, 1975, Ralph Gregory- August 30, 1979, was adopted in 1984, Matthew Hesketh - May 19, 1987 and Eric James – September 28, 1995 was adopted in 1998. For twelve years, Greg and JoNell were foster parents for Grand Forks County and parented 36 children. Greg enjoyed reading, history, traveling and the Green Bay Packers.

Greg is survived by his wife, JoNell, daughter Rebecca (Eric) Saari, Ralph Bakke (friend Tonya Nelson), Matthew (Melissa) Bakke and Eric Bakke; six grandchildren, Ethan, Austin, and Elora Saari: Payton, Westen, and Jordyn Bakke.

Greg was preceded in death by his parents, Gene and Betty Anne Bakke, in-laws, James and Roberta Hesketh, infant grandson, Tyler Eric Saari, brother-in-law, James R Hesketh; sister-in-law, Judie Hesketh Wylie.

Visitation at Amundson’s Funeral Home will be on Monday, November 21st from 5:00 to 7:00. A celebration of Greg’s life will be held at 11:00 on Tuesday, November 22nd at Amundson’s Funeral Home with additional visitation an hour prior to the service.